Hybrid tea rose plant named ‘MEIROGUSTE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of hybrid tea rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘MEIROGUSTE’, is disclosed. The new variety forms on a nearly continuous basis attractive, cup shaped, white colored flowers. Attractive, dense and semi-glossy foliage is formed, which contrasts beautifully with the blossoms. An erected growth habit is displayed. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification:

Latin name: Rosa hybrida.

Varietal denomination: ‘MEIROGUSTE’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Plant Breeders' Right ApplicationNumber 2020/2112, which was filed at Community Plant Variety Office inthe European Union on Sep. 4, 2020, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida plant was created by artificialpollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had beenstudied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the‘TAN99176’ variety (non-patented). The male parent (i.e., the pollenparent) was the ‘ADAHUIN’ variety (non-patented).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:‘TAN99176’ x ‘ADAHUIN’

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new variety of rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) emits a strong aniseed fragrance,    -   (b) forms a white colored flower, and    -   (c) exhibits a dark green, semi-glossy foliage.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant isparticularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguishedfrom its ancestors. More specifically, the ‘TAN99176’ variety (i.e., theseed parent) displays a climbing growth habit whereas the new varietydisplays an erected growth habit. The ‘ADAHUIN’ variety (i.e., thepollen parent) displays red colored flowers, whereas the new varietydisplays white colored flowers. Moreover, the new variety can be readilydistinguished from other similar non-parental varieties. For example,the ‘MEIVIOLIN’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,892) displays a climbinggrowth habit compared to the erected growth habit of new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France by a number of routes, including softwoodcuttings and grafting t-bud. Asexual propagation by the above-mentionedtechniques in Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France has shown that thecharacteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictlytransmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation toanother. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in atrue-to-type manner.

The new variety has been named ‘MEIROGUSTE’.

The first offer for sale of the new variety was Jun. 29, 2020 in Franceby the inventor or another who obtained the new variety directly orindirectly from the inventor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph of the drawing shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of thischaracter, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. Therose plants of the new variety were approximately one year of age andwere observed during November while budded on Rosa Laxa and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions in centimetersare indicated at the bottom of the drawing.

Element 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot.

Element 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the opening ofthe sepals.

Element 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals.

Element 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals.

Element 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening.

Element 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—reverse.

Element 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—observe.

Element 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—reverse.

Element 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—observe.

Element 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the stamens and pistils.

Element 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the pistils (stamens removed).

Element 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem.

Element 13—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—planview—upper surface.

Element 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—planview—upper surface.

Element 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—planview—under surface.

Element 16—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—planview—under surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2001 edition), London,England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has beenadded to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. Thedescription is based on the observation of one-year-old specimens of thenew variety during November while budded on Rosa Laxa and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Commercial classification: Hybrid Tea Rose Plant.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Erected.        -   Height.—Typically 80 to 150 cm on average.        -   Width.—Typically 50 to 100 cm on average.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: commonly near Green Group 143C. — adult            wood: commonly a mix of between near Green Group 143A and            near Green Group 143B.        -   Length of main stem.—Approximately 100 cm on average.        -   Young shoots.—Anthocyanin coloration: strong intensity and            commonly near Greyed-Purple Group 178A.        -   Thorns.—Configuration on adult stems: concave and elongated            on the upper surface and elliptical and narrow on the under            surface. — long prickles — quantity: commonly approximately            1 thorn per 10 cm long young stem and commonly 1 thorn per            10 cm long adult stem. — long prickles — base shape: narrow            elliptical. — long prickles — size: approximately 0.6 cm in            length on average on young stems and adult stems. — long            prickles — color: commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group 160B            more or less suffused with near Greyed-Purple Group 182A on            young stems and commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 165B which            evolves to near Greyed-Orange Group 165A towards the point            of the thorn on adult stems. — small prickles — quantity:            absent.-   Foliage:    -   -   General appearance.—Dense with semi-glossy aspect.        -   Number of leaflets.—3 and 5; most often 5.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: approximately 6.5 cm on average. —            width: approximately 3.5 cm on average.        -   New foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly a mix between            near Yellow-Green Group 146A and Yellow-Green Group 147A,            edged with anthocyanin coloration near Greyed-Purple Group            178A. — under surface color: commonly near Green Group 137D            with some anthocyanin highlights of near Greyed-Purple Group            178A.        -   Adult foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly a mix between            near Green Group 139A and near Yellow-Green Group 147A. —            under surface color: commonly near Green Group 137C. —            anthocyanin coloration: absent.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape.—Tip: acuminate. — base: obtuse.        -   Glossiness of upper surface.—Weak.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   General appearance.—Elliptical.        -   Edge.—Slightly denticulate.        -   Serration.—Small and single.        -   Undulation on the margin.—Weak.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color of upper surface: commonly near Green            Group 143A. — color of under surface: commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144B.        -   Petioles.—Upper surface: no glandular. — under surface: no            prickles. — color of upper surface: commonly near Green            Group 143A. — color of under surface: commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144A. — petiole length of terminal            leaflet: approximately 2.5 cm on average.        -   Stipules.—General appearance: adnate, pectinate and rather            broad. — length: approximately 2.0 cm on average. — width:            approximately 0.5 cm on average. — color of upper surface:            commonly a mix of between near Yellow-Green Group 144A and            near Yellow-Green Group 144B. — color of under surface:            commonly a mix of between near Yellow-Green Group 144A and            near Yellow-Green Group 144B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers per stem.—Typically 1 to 10 flowers per            stem.        -   Lastingness of the bloom.—On the plant: approximately 8 to            10 days on average.        -   Bud.—Shape: ovoid. — size: medium. — length: approximately            5.0 cm on average. — width: approximately 5.0 cm on average.            — color as calyx breaks: upper surface: commonly near Yellow            Group 11B edged with near Red-Purple Group 62A, basal spot            of near Yellow Group 9A. under surface: commonly near Yellow            Group 11C which evolves towards near Red-Purple Group 62D to            the edge of the petal.        -   Sepals.—Length: approximately 2.9 cm on average. — width:            approximately 0.9 cm on average. — shape: at the top:            elongated and narrow, at the base: broad. — extensions:            some, weak to medium. — upper surface: texture: tomentous.            color: commonly near Yellow-Group 144C with some flat tint            of near Green Group 143C. — under surface: texture: smooth.            color: commonly near Yellow-Group 144B with some flat tint            of near Green Group 143B.        -   Receptacle.—Color: commonly a mix between near Green Group            143B and Green Group 143C. — length: approximately 1.0 cm on            average. — width: approximately 1.0 cm on average. —            surface: smooth. — shape: funnel shaped.        -   Peduncle.—Length: approximately 3.5 cm on average. — width:            approximately 0.4 cm on average. — surface: smooth. — color:            commonly a mix between near Green Group 143B and Green Group            143C.        -   Flower.—Average size when fully open: approximately 12 cm on            average. — shape: cup shaped. — type: double. — number of            petals under normal conditions: typically 60 to 105 petals            on average. — shape of the petal: base: pointed. top:            rounded slightly cordiform. — texture of the petal: soft. —            petal length: approximately 5.0 cm on average. — petal            width: approximately 6.0 cm on average. — petal arrangement:            imbricated without petaloids. — petal drop: petals drop off            cleanly before drying. — fragrance: strong aniseed            fragrance. — color when opening: — basal spot: commonly near            Yellow Group 9C. upper surface of the flower: commonly near            Yellow-White Group 158D edged with near Red-Purple Group            62C. under surface of the flower: commonly near Yellow-White            Group 158D. — color of the open flower: basal spot: commonly            near Yellow Group 9C. upper surface of the flower: commonly            near Yellow-White Group 158D edged with near Red-Purple            Group 62D. under surface of the flower: commonly near            Yellow-White Group 158D. — anthers: number is approximately            120 on average, length is approximately 0.3 cm on average,            coloration is commonly near Yellow-Orange Group 21B, and            arrangement is regular around styles. — filaments: length is            approximately 1.0 cm on average and coloration is commonly            near Yellow-Orange Group 17C. — styles: length is            approximately 0.5 cm on average, coloration is commonly near            Green-White Group 157D, and number is approximately 155 on            average. — stigmas: size is approximately 0.1 cm on average            and coloration is commonly near Yellow Group 6C with            highlights near Orange Group 29C. — pollen: color is            commonly near Yellow Group 8B and amount is abundant. —            hips: not available at this stage.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Strong.        -   Blooming.—Early in the season, abundant and nearly            continuous, typical from May to November in France.        -   Usda hardiness zone.—Zone 5.        -   Tolerance to disease.—Good, and particularly against downy            mildew (Peronospora sparsa) and powdery mildew (Odium).

The new ‘MEIROGUSTE’ variety has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘MEIROGUSTE’ characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) emits a strong aniseed fragrance, (b) forms a white colored flower, and (c) exhibits a dark green, semi-glossy foliage; substantially as herein shown and described. 